Processing machine



Aug. 10, 1954 Filed April 18, 1950 T. H. CURTIS PROCESSING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR THOMAS H. CURTIS BY whim ATTORNEYS Aug. 10, 1954 T. H. CURTIS PROCESSING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 18, 1950 INVENTOR s H. CURTIS M :QZJ-J ATTORNEYS Aug. 10, 1954 "r. H, CURTIS 2,635,954

- PROCESSING MACHINE Filed April 18, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 6 4 ATTORNEYS A g 1 1954 T. H. CURTIS 2,685,954

PROCESSING MACHINE Filed April 18, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I 38 v E f I I i I ,424

I 4o v INVENTOR 42 I28 moms H. CURTIS ATTORNEYS Aug, 10, 1954 T. H. CURTIS 2,685,954

PROCESSING MACHINE Filed April 18, l95Q 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR THOMAS H. CURTIS 206 ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 10, 1954 UNITED STATES NT QFFI 'CE 18 Claims. I

This invention relates to processing. machinery,

particularly to machinery for automatically, chemically or electrolytically treating work pieces.

In my co-pending applications, S'er. No. 92,838, filed May 12, 1949, now Patent 2,626,621,, issued January 27, I953, Ser. No. 154,077, filed April 5,,1'95'0',,and Ser. No. 156,626, filed. April 18, I950, now Patent 2,605,882, issued August 5', 1952, there is discl'osedan automatic processing machine and a method of operation thereof in which di'iierent groupsof workpieces can be given dilierent types of'treatment in one and the same machine without any modification in the machine set-up. The need for this type of treatment set forth in those applications but may be treated'briefiy as follows.

in many instances where workpieces are being. plated, it is desired that some of the pieces be ,i'atedmore heavily than others; For example, in connection with automobile hardware, the in terior hardware need; not be as heavily plated as the outside hardware because it isnotexp'o'sed to the same weather conditions. The plating on both ithese types" of workpieces is,'howev'er; the same type. It has been found that satisfactory results can be obtained only by plating within relatively narrow limits of plating conditions such as temperature of the bath, bath composithan, current density, etc. Because of this, amachineis set up to give the desired heavy plating on some of the workpieces; it is ordinarily not capable of applying the lightcr'p'ladng to the other workpieces. It is not practical to interrupt the plating cycle on the workpieces to receive theli'ght plate by cutting off the plating current while the workpieces are in the plating bath because this materially detracts from the quality of finish which results;

In still other circumstances it maybe desired to run different groups of workpieces through a processing machine and to subject the diffierent groups to treatment in different baths and for dfi'iicrent periods. The usual type automatic processing machine is not capable of providing a selective treatment for differentbatches of workpieces because it is inflexible and is constructed to carry out only a single type of work cycle at a time.

In the first filed of the above applications, I disclosed certain manners for causing different batches of workpieces being conveyed through a processing machine tobe selectively treated. The present, invention. is a further extension of the inventive tiiought embodied in that application 2 and includes different embodiments for obtain-ingthe selective" treatment of different batches of workpieces lIIaI processing machine;

Accordingly, one of the principal objects of this invention is the provision of mechanism associated with a processing machine which is selectively adjustable to provide for different treatment cycles" of different batches of workpieces.

A still further object is a' provisi'on of relatively simple mechanisms for'inclusion in a processing machine of theautomatic type which are operable independently of the operation of the processing machine to provideior selective treatmentor different groups of workpieccspassing through the machine;

A particular object of this invention is the provision of arrangements forliitingand lowcri'ng workpiece supporting inernbersin a processing machine" so that the worhpieces'on the members can selectively be given a reduced time treatment at any position aboutthe machine if so desired;

These andother objectsand advantages will become more apparent upon reference to the following description tak'en in connecsion with the accompanying drawings winch:

Figure l is a View showing aportion oi a processing machine and adevice incorporated therein according to thisinvention.

Figure 2 is 'a' view-- looking in from the left side of Figure l and showing somewhat more in detail the arrangement'of the device of this invention and the manner 1H4 which: it cooperates with the workpiece supporting arm of the processing machine and the processing machine elevator.

Figure 3 is a view indicated by the lines-4 on Figure 1 and showing an :over running clutch which isposi tionecf between the drive motor for the device of this invention and the actuating Figure 4 isa wiring diagram'slrowing the electric circuit components-by means'o-f which the action of the device is automatically obtained.

Figure 5 is a pmspective'view showing a part of one of the workpiece supporting arms and a cam arrangement there-for for cooperating with limit switches included in the" circuit of Figure l to determineth-e cycle of operation of the device" of Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 6 is a viewshowing a modifiedarrangement of the device wherein a hydraulic medium is employed for controlling the movement of the device.

Figure 7 is a view ofstill. another modification 3 of the device wherein a lead screw is employed for raising and lowering the device instead of a chain.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8--8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a sectional view indicated by line 9-9 on Figure 8 and showing an over-running clutch arrangement associated with one of the worm wheels that runs on the lead screw that actuates the device.

Figures 10 and 11 are side and front views, respectively, of an early lift-out arrangement constructed similarly to the modification of Figures 1 through 5.

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of a control circuit for controlling the operation of the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view showing how the hydraulical device of Figure 6 can be adapted for an early lift out of the workpiece carriers.

Figure 14. is a diagrammatic view showing how the various devices of this application can be controlled by photocell system instead of by the limit switches actuated by the carrier arms.

Modification of Figures 1-5 Referring to the drawings somewhat more in detail, in Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a portion of a processin machine which is substantially identical with that disclosed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 154,077 and my Patents 2,605,882 and 2,626,621, referred to above, with respect to the arrangement of the frame of the machine, the tanks therefor, the conveyor chains, the elevator, and the drive means for the elevator and conveyor chains. In Figures 1 and 2 the frame of the machine is indicated at in and comprises a lower channel l2 which receives conveyor chain I4 and an upper channel It that receives conveyor chain l8.

Extending between chains [4 and [8 at spaced intervals are the vertically extending frame parts 26 which form a track for receiving the skate-like element 22 that has rollers 24 engaging frame for vertical movement of the said element.

Element 22 provides a support for a workpiece supporting arm 26 that extends outwardly over the tanks in which the several baths associated with the process are placed.

"Extending rearwardly from element 22 is a pick-up roller 28 and this is adapted for engagement by angle 30 carried on elevator 32 so that when the elevator goes up and down the workpiece carrying arm will also go up and down.

At predetermined points along the machine the lift angle 30 is interrupted, as will be seen at 34 in Figure 1. In these positions there is a bridge member 36 overlapping adjacent ends of the interrupted lift angle 30 and mounted thereon is an angle bracket 38 slidably guided on a pair of spaced rods 4i! that are carried in the brackets 42 and 44 attached to frame ID of the processing machine.

Bracket 38 is connected, as by arm 46, with a chain is that extends around an upper sprocket 5i; and a lower sprocket 52. Sprocket 52 is journaled for free rotation on the frame of the machine, while sprocket as is connected with a shaft 56, journaled in a bearing 54, through an overrunning clutch 58 which permits the sprocket to turn freely on the shaft in one direction, but prevents relative movement therebetween in the opposite direction. I Shaft 56 has mounted thereon a gear 60 which meshes with a gear 62 on the output shaft of a 4 geared head motor 64. The over-running clutch 58 is better illustrated in Figure 3 and will be seen to comprise an outer cylindrical shell 66 forming a part of sprocket 50, the balls 58 within the shell, and the actuator cam 10 which is keyed to shaft 56. The over-running clutch is so arranged that when motor 64 is de-energized, thereby locking its output shaft, gears 62 and 50, and shaft 56 against rotation, the forward reach of chain 48 which is connected with arm 46 will be prevented from moving downwardly.

Because of this, whenever elevator 32 moves upwardly it will carry bridge 36 upwardly and thereby lift bracket 38 upwardly. During the time that the elevator is up, the movement of the conveyor, comprising conveyor chains [4 and i8 takes place so that one of the workpiece carrying arms 26 will be moved to a position where its roller 28 will be engaged by bracket 38. Thereafter, when the elevator moves down the said workpiece carrying arm will be supported in an upper position due to the fact that the forward reach of the chain is prevented from moving downwardly as explained above.

According to this invention a delayed set-down of the workpiece carrying arm is obtained by energizing motor 64 a predetermined length of time after the workpiece carrying arm moves into the position where its roller 28 is supported by bracket 38. In this manner a shortened treatment time is obtained.

As will be seen, the device can also be adjusted to hold the carrier arm in its elevated position so as to completely by-pass a treatment station if so desired.

Turning now to the wiring diagram illustrated in Figure 4, there are two power lines L-l and Ir-Z and connected therebetween is a contactor having a coil that is in series with a normally open limit switch LS-l. The contactor has a blade 82 that establishes a holding circuit for coil 80 through a normally closed timer switch blade 83. The contactor also has a blade 84 which will close when the contactor is energized to energize the motor of timer T-l. trols timer blades 83 and. 85. Blade 85 is in series with motor 65 and normally closed limit switch LS-3 so that a predetermined time after timer motor T-i is energized blade 85 will close and energize motor 54 thereby bringing about movement of chain 48 in a direction to lower the workpiece arm supported thereon.

Limit switch LS4 as will be seen in Figure 5 is arranged for being selectively engaged by cam member 86 adjustably mounted on arm 26 so that as arm 26 approaches the position where it will be supported by bracket 38, it will engage limit switch LS[ and initiate the timed cycle which will determine the length of time the arm is supported in its upper position.

' A predetermined time after blade 85 closes and the chain 48 operates to set arm 36 down, blade 83 will be opened to d e-energize the contactor which was closed by engagement of limit switch LS4.

If a different timed period is desired, cam'86 is adjusted so as to strike limit switch LS-Z and under these circumstances a second contactor having a coil 33 is closed and brings about energization of a second timer T-2 that controls nor mally closed blade 90 in the holding circuit for the coil 88 and normally open blade 92 connected in parallel with blade 85 of timer T-l. The timers T-l and T-2, being set for different intervals, it will be evident that adjustment of cam mem- Timer motor T-l con- -S'-I, and an adjustable choke valve- H i.

access-54 her 86 will selectively determine the duration of the period that the arm 26 is held out of the bath at the treatment station. In this manner the duration of the treatment time on the workpiece is varied because the elevator and conveyor perateon a time cycle and the overall treatment of the workpieces reduced by the amount of time that it is held in an elevated position. It will also be evident that adjustment of member 85 so it wili strike neither of limit switches LS-I' or LS Z will cause the workpiece 49 to be held out of the treatmentbathduring a complete elevator cycle.

Due to the over-running clutch arrangement of Figure 3 it is not essential that motor ii be deenergi'zed as soon as the workpiece arm is set down but for reasons of economy limit switch LS4 is provided in the circuit of Figure 4 as described and is so placed on frame II] that a cam 94 01-1 chain 48 will actuate the switch to do -energize the motor 64% as soon as the workpiece arm reaches its lowermost position.

Modification of Figure 6 Referring now to the modification shown in Figure 6, essentially the same sort of operation obtains except that instead of motor 64 and chain 4'8- there is provided a hydraulic arrangement for obtaining the delayed set-down of the carrier a-rm.

In Figure 6 the parts of the machine, carrier arm and elevator bear the same reference numerals as they do in Figures 1 through 5.

In Figure 6 the bracket 38, as before, is mounted on a block which slides onvertical rods it and attached to the rear of the block is a second block iiltto which is connected the upper end of piston rod 32 having a piston I84 at its lower end reciprocably mounted in stationary cylinder I 08. The lower end of cylinder Iii-t is connected by conduit I08 with fluid reservoir lit and the said conduit includes an electrically operated shut-off valve II2 that is normally closed and which will open upon energization of solenoid aforementioned valves are Icy-passed by conduit I it including a check valve IE8 opening from reservoir Iii? to' cylinder MB.

In operation, whenever elevator 32 moves upwardly it carries with it bracket 38 due to bridge member 36 as previously described. During upward movement of bracket 38 piston rod m2 and piston i-ii l are free to move upwardly in cylinder Iliibecause fluid will readily flow from reservoir I-IIt into the bottom end of the cylinder through conduit IIS and check valve 118. Thereafter, when the elevator moves downwardly, bracket 33 will be supported on the fluid entrapped in the lower end. oi cylinder M6 by check valve il-B and closedvalve I I2.

Valve H2 has its solenoid S-l connected in a circuit such as shown in Figure 4 in the position occupied by motor 54 and, thus, a predetermined time after carrier arm 26 moves into position where its roller 2-8 is supported on bracket 38, solenoid S-I will be energized and permit exhausting of fiuid from cylinder I06, thereby permitting piston I134, piston rod I62, bracket 88, and carrier arm 25 to move downwardly. During downward movement of these parts, choke valve PM is operable to limit the rate of descent to avoid damage of any of the machine parts or undue splashing of the bath.

A- difference that might be pointed out between the first and second modifications is that in the The modification of Figures 1 through 5 a simple: inversion of theoperation could be obtained so that thecarrier arm 26 could be lifted out of a solution by bracket 38 to terminate a treatment cycle ahead of the normal completion time, whereas in the arrangement of Figure 6 it is not possible to obtain an early lift-out but only a delayed: setdown. Otherwise, in operation the modifications are quite similar.

Modification of Figures 7 through 9 In the modification of Figures? through 9 the essential difference over what is shown in Figures 1 through 5 is that the block which supports bracket 38 is divided into halves as at I29 and I 22' so as to embrace rods 4'9. The splitting of the bracket permits the central part thereof to be hollowed out to receive a pair of worm wheels 52 i which engage opposite sides of lead screw I26 suitably mounted at its opposite ends in brackets 12s carried by frame Ill. At its upper end lead screw lit has a worm wheelv I30 adapted for be:- ing driven by a worm I32 on the shaft of motor I34.

Each worm wheel I24 is mounted in part I20 vof the block that supports bracket 38 byi'means of an over-running clutch best illustrated in. Figure 9. This clutch comprises the cam surfaces [35 in the block and the balls I33 adapted for wedging between these surfaces and the shaft Hit of the worm wheel. The over-running clutch is so arranged that the worm wheels will roll freely on the lead screw while the bracket is moving upwardly but will not turn in the block in the opposite direction. This permits upward movement of bracket 38 whenever the elevator goes up but requires that the lead screw be drivenv in order to lower the said. bracket- By the use of a circuit as shown in Figure 4, and wherein motor its replaces motor 54, a del'ayed set down of the bracket 33 can be obtained. It will be evident that the modification of Figures 7 through 9 is capable of operating in the same manner as the modification of. Figures 1 through 5 in that a delay set-down can be ob.- tained, or by an inversion of the actuating system an early lift out can also be obtained.

In connection with any of the modifications it will be apparentthat a processing machine operating on a fixed cycle so far as conveyor and elevator movement is concerned. can nevertheless be arranged for selective treatment of dinerent batches of workpieces, merely by adjusting the switch actuating means on the. arms that carry the said batches. In this manner, treatment baths can be bypassed and treatment time in other baths can be reduced. a closely regulated amount, all in accordance with the exact treatment requirements of the workpieces on the various arms.

At the same time, the machine in general is standard and the optimum conditions of bath composition, bath: temperature, current density, and other factors necessary for obtaininghi'gh quality results may be maintained.

Modification of Figures 1.0 through. 12

In Figures 10 through 12 there is shown an. arrangement constructed like the arrangement of Figures 1 through 5 except that the device of the instant modification is adapted for use as an early lift out device to terminate a treatment cycle ahead of its normal end point. Accordingly, the illustrated-device operates entirely independently of the elevator of the machine and is driven in both'directions by its actuating motor. The devices are placed so as to align with the carrier arms in certain conveyed positions thereof, as for example, part way along a plating tank so the carrier arms to be lifted out by the device would traverse the first portion of the plating tank and then be lifted out of the tank and held in an elevated position during the remainder of the travel along the plating tank.

Referring now to Figures 10 and '11, the lift out member is indicated at I50 and will be seen to comprise a plate that is normally spring urged into position to engage the roller 28 of the carrier arm 26. The lift out member is connected with a chain I52 similarly to the member 38 of the modification of Figures 1 through 5. Chain I52 is supported on sprockets I54 and the upper thereof is keyed to shaft I56 adapted for being driven by reversible motor I58.

A limit switch LS-IO is positioned for being selectively engaged by adjustable cam I60 carried on arm 26 so that the lift out device can be made selectively operable or inoperable for difierent carrier arms.

Switch LS-I is connected in circuit as shown in Figure 12 wherein it will be seen to be in series with a contactor coil I62. Coil I62 controls contact blade I64 that establishes a holding circuit for coil I62 through norm-ally closed limit switch LS-l2, and a blade I66 adapted for energizing motor I58 to run in a direction to move lift out member I50 upwardly.

Mounted on chain I52 is a cam I 68 that is adapted for engaging and opening switch LS-I2 when lift member 550 has reached its uppermost position. Opening of LS-I2 de-energizes coil I62 and brings the lift out member to a halt inasmuch as motor I58 serves to hold shaft I56 stationary.

The lift out member I50 aligns with a holdout track I when in its uppermost position so that after the lift out member has elevated the associated carrier arm, the next movement of the conveyor of the machine will move the carrier arm onto track I10 to be supported thereby until it is again desired to commence treatment of the workpiece supported by the said carrier arm.

After the carrier arm has rolled off lift out member I50 the said member is caused to move 0 downwardly to operative position by a limit switch LS-M positioned to be engaged by the lift out arm after it has moved off lift out member I50. Limit switch LES-I4, as will be seen in Figure 12, is connected with contactor coil I12. Coil I12 controls the blade 14 that establishes a holding circuit for the coil through normally closed limit switch LS-i i5, and a blade I16 that energizes motor I58 to run in a direction to move lift out member I50 downwardly. When the said member has reached the proper position, cam I68 engages and opens limit switch LS-IB thereby d-e-energizing coil I12 and motor I58 and thereby again halting shaft I56 so as stationarily to support lift out member I50.

In order to make certain that the lift out member does not come to rest on top of roller 28 of any ofthe carrier arms, it is constructed as illustrated and described so as to cam over the roller if necessary.

Modification of Figure 13 In Figure 13 the fluid operated device of Figure 7 connected to the lift out device and reciprocates in cylinder I80. A pump I82 supplies fluid to a distributing valve I84 that is normally urged by spring I86 to bypass the pump discharge via conduit I88 to tank I90 and to connect conduit I92 leading to cylinder I to exhaust conduit I94. Energization of solenoid operator I96 of the valve will connect the pump discharge to conduit I92 thereby bringing about upward movement of plunger 11-8 and the lift out member connected thereto.

A check valve I98 permits free flow of fluid from pump I82 to the cylinder I 80 while a choke valve 200 is connected parallel with the check valve and controls the rate of descent of plunger I18 when solenoid operator I96 is de-energized.

The solenoid operator I96 can be connected in the circuit of Figure 12 in the position of motor I59, except that the second contactor coil I12 and the elements associated therewith can be eliminated and limit switch LS-IZ positioned in the location of limit switch LS-M to be engaged and opened by the carrier arm after it is moved onto the hold out track by the conveyor.

Modification of Figure 14 In Figure 14 there is shown how a photocell circuit can be set up to replace the limit switches which have been employed in connection with the several modifications for controlling the operation of the various delayed set down and early lift out devices. In Figure 14, photocell 202 is normally illuminated by light source 204 and when so illuminated permits battery 206 to cause a current to flow through biasing resistor 200 in the direction indicated by arrow 2I0', This current places a negative bias on grid 2 I2 of a relay operated limit switches previously referred to in connection with any of the modifications.

When the light beam falling on the photocell is interrupted by flag 2I8 adjustably carried on the carrier arm, the photocell current stops and battery 220 in the grid to cathode circuit then becomes effective for biasing the relay tube to discharge thereby closing switch 2I6. It will be apparent that the arrangement of Figure 14 could replace any of the arm-operated limit switches previously referred to and that the same selectivity of control would be obtained in every case.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to diiferent usages and conditions, and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and an elevator for moving the arm vertically relatively to the conveyor; :3. member positioned to engage the arm in one of its conveyed positions, means guiding said member for vertical movement, means for causin simultaneous upward movement of said member and arm with the elevator, means functioning independently of the elevator for supporting said member and arm in their elevated positions after the elevator has moved down, and control means for bringing about downward movement of said member and arm a predetermined time after the elevator has moved down.

2. In a. processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and ,an elevator ,for movin the arm vertically relatively .to the conveyor; a member positioned to engage the .arm in one of its conveyed positions, means for causing simultaneous upward movement ofsaid member and arm with the elevator, means operable independently of the elevator to support the member and arm in their elevated positions after the elevator has moved down, and electrical means energizable for causing said supporting means to lower said member and arm a predetermined time after the elevator has moved down.

3. In a processing machinehaving a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for movin the arm horizontally, and an elevator formoving the arm vertically relatively to the conveyor; a member positioned to engage the arm in one of its conveyed positions, means for causing simultaneous upward movement of said member and arm with theelevator, means operable independently of the elevator to support the member and arm in their elevated positions after the .elevator has moved down, electrical means energizable for causing said supporting means to lower said member and arm a predetermined time after the elevator has moved down, a control circuit for bringing about energization of said electrical means. and means actuated by said arm .as it moves into said conveyed position for making said control circuit effective after a predetermined time delay.

4. In a processingmachine having .a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and an elevator for moving the arm vertically relatively to the conveyor; a member positioned to engage the arm in one of its conveyed positions, means for causing simultaneous upward movement of said member and arm with the elevator, means operable independently of the elevator to support the member and arm in their elevated positions after the elevator has moved down, electrical means energizable for causing said supporting means to lower said member and arm a predetermined time after the elevator has moved down, a control circuit for bringing about energization of said electrical means, and a plurality of means adapted for selective actuation by said arm as it moves into said conveyed position and each operable for making said control circuit effective after a different predetermined time delay.

5. In a processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and an elevator ,for moving the arm vertically relatively to the conveyor; a member positioned to engage the arm in one of its conveyed positions, means for causing simultaneous upward movement of said member and arm with the elevator, means operable independently of the elevator to support the member and arm in their elevated positions after the elevator has moved down, electrical means energizable for causin said supporting means to lower said member and arm a predetermined time after the elevator has moved down, a control circuit for bringing about energization of said electrical means, a plurality of meansadapted for selective actuation by said arm as it moves into said .conveyed position and each operable for making said control circuit .efiective after a .diiierent predetermined time deflate and me n r energizing said electrical means when the said member reaches its lowered position. 7

a fl sine machine of th type described having a pluralit of work stations, a plurality of work sunporting devices, a conveyor to .movesaid devices from station to station, and an elevator for raising and lowering said devices relatively to the conveyor, said conveyor and elevator operating alternately so conveying takes place only while the elevator is in its up position; members at at ,leastsome of saidstations adapted for engagement with said devices operable to support the said devices in elevated positions when the elevator goes down, and an independent control means for each member operable to bring about lowering movement thereof independently of the elevator a predetermined time after the elevator has gone down.

7. In a processing machine of the type described having a plurality of work stations, a plurality of work supporting devices, a conveyor to move said devices from station to station, and an elevator for raising and lowering said devices relatively to the conveyor, said conveyor and elevator operating alternately so conveying takes place only whilethe elevator is in its up position;

membersat at least some of said stations adapted for engagement with said devices operable to support the said devices in elevated positions when the elevator goes down, independent conenergization thereof, switch means-for each circuit actuatable to determin the time the circuit will become effective, .and means on said work supporting devices adjustable into position to engage at least one of said switch means or to by pass all .of the said switch means.

8. Ina processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and an elevator iormoving the arm vertically on the conveyor; a member positioned to engage the arm in one of its conveyed positions, means .for causing simultaneous upward movement of said member and elevator, an endless chain .connected to said member and sprockets supporting said chain,.a normally stationary shaft .for one of the sprockets and a clutch between the shaft and said one sprocket permitting the aforesaid upward movement of the member but preventing downward mover ment thereof, and a motor energizable to drive horizontally, and an elevator for moving the arm vertically on the conveyor; a. member positioned to engage the arm in one of its conveyed positions, means for causing simultaneous upward movement of said member and elevator, an endless chain connected to said member and sprockets supporting said chain, a normally stationary shaft for one of the sprockets and a clutch between the shaft and said one sprocket permitting the aforesaid upward movement of the member butpreventing downward movement thereof, .a motor cnergizable to drive theshaft in a direction to permit lowering of said member, and control means to bring about energization of said motor a predetermined time after the elevator has moved down.

.10. In a processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizonta lly, and an elevator for moving the :arm vertically on the conveyor; a member positioned .to engage the arm in one of its cone 11' veyed positions, means for causing simultaneous upward movement of said member and elevator, an endless chain connected to said member and sprockets supporting said chain, a normally stationary shaft for one of the sprockets and a clutch between the shaft and said one sprocket permitting the aforesaid upward movement thereof, a motor energizable to drive the shaft in a direction to permit lowering of said member, a control circuit for bringing about energization of said motor, and means actuated by said arm as it moves into said conveyed position for making said control circuit effective after a predetermined time delay.

- 11. In a processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, an elevator for moving the arm vertically on the conveyor; a member positioned to engage the arm mom of its conveyed positions, means for causing simultaneous upward movement of said member and elevator, an endless chain connected to' said member and sprockets supporting said chain, a normally stationary shaft for one of the sprockets and a clutch between the shaft and said one sprocket permitting the aforesaid upward movement thereof, a motor energizable to drive the shaft in a direction to permit lowering of said member, a control circuit for bringing about energization of said motor, and a plurality of means adapted for selective actuation by said arm as it moves into said conveyed position and each operable to make said control circuit efiective after a different predetermined time delay.

12. A method of treating workpieces in a processing machine which comprises the steps of, (a) supporting a plurality of workpieces in fixed horizontally spaced relation, (b) intermittently moving the workpieces in unison in one direction without changing the said spacing to convey them to a plurality of work stations, ('0) reciprocating the workpieces in another direction at right angles to said one direction between intervals of movement thereof in the said one direction according to a fixed timed cycle to carry them into and out of the work stations but without changing their position in the said one direction, and (d) selectively reciprocating at least some of the workpieces according to individual cycles diiierent from saidfixed cycle and in the said other direction independently of the reciprocation of the others thereof while maintaining the same said spacing to vary the time of said some of the workpieces in treatment position in the work stations. 7

13. A method of treating workpieces in a processing machine which comprises the steps of, (a) independently supporting, the workpieces at a fixed horizontal spacing, (b) intermittently moving the workpieces in unison according to a fixed cycle in one direction without changing .the said spacing to convey them successively through a plurality of work stations, and selectively independently reciprocating the workpieces according to individual cycles in another direction at right angles to said one direction while maintaining said fixed spacing during intervals of movement of the workpieces in the said one direction for carrying the workpieces into and out of treatment position in said work stations.

14. In a processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and an elevator for moving the arm vertically; the combination defined in claim 1 in which the means for supporting the member in its elevated position include a vertical lead screw, an element on the member engaging the,

screw and movable along the screw by rotation of the latter, clutch means between the gear and member permitting upward movement of the member but preventing downward movement thereof along the screw, while the latter is at rest, a'motor for driving the screw to move the, member downward, and control means for effect-' ing energization of the motor a predetermined.

time after the elevator goes down, the control means being adapted for selective operation in response to movement of the arm to one of its conveyed positions. V

15. In a processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and an elevator for moving the arm vertically; the combination defined in claim 1, in which the means for supporting the member in its elevated position include a vertical lead screw, a pair of gears journaled on the member and engaging the screw, clutch means between the gears and member permitting upward movement of the member but preventing downward movement thereof along the screw, while the latter is at rest, a motor for driving the screw to move the member downward, and means under the selective control of said arm as it is moved into said one conveyed position for effecting energization of said motor a predetermined time after the elevator has gone down.

16. In a processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and an elevator for moving the arm vertically; the combination defined in claim 1, in which the means for supporting the member.

in its elevated position include a piston and cylinder, one of which is stationary and the other movable and connected to the member, whereby upward movement of the member causes fluid to be drawn into one end of the cylinder, means for entrapping the fluid in the cylinder to support the member elevated after the elevator has gone down, and means adapted for being made selectively effective by movement of said arm and operable, when effective, a predetermined time after the elevator has gone down to release the fluid from the cylinder.

17. In a processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and an elevator for moving the arm vertically; the combination defined in claim 1, in which the means for supporting the member in its elevated position include a piston and cylinder, one of which is stationary and the other movable and connected to the member, whereby upward movement of the member causes fluid to be drawn into one end of the cylinder, means for entrapping the fluid in the cylinder to support the member elevated after the elevator has gone down, and means adapted for being made selectively effective by movement of said arm and, when effective, operable a predetermined time after the elevator has gone down to release the fluid from the cylinder, said fluid releasing means including flow control means for regulating the rate of descent of the member.

18. In a processing machine having a workpiece supporting arm, a conveyor for moving the arm horizontally, and 'an elevator for moving the arm vertically; the combination defined in claim 1, in which the means for supporting the member in its elevated position include a piston and cylinder, one of which is stationary and the other movable and connected to the member,

13 14 whereby upward movement of the member causes References Cited in the file of this patent fluid to be drawn into one end of the cylinder, UNITED STATES PATENTS means for entrapping the fluid in the cylinder to support the member elevated after the elevator Number Name Data has gone down, an electrically operated valve 5 2048937 Larson July 1936 energizable to release fluid from the cylinder, 2,106,706 Gordon Feb. 1, 1938 a control circuit for bringing about energization 211751788 Todd 1939 of the valve, and means adapted for selective 2,343,112 Costa May 1944 actuation by the arm as it moves to said con- 2,461,113 Fnedman 1949 veyed position for making the control circuit 10 FOREIGN PATENTS effective after a predetermined delay. Number Country Date 729,019 France July 16, 1932 

